In the late morning of September 18, 2021, the life of Jackson James Purdie, a 35-year-old White / Caucasian male from Spokane, Washington, was cut short in a violent encounter. The tragic events unfolded in the parking lot of the Ramada Inn on North Sullivan Road in Spokane Valley. Deputies from the Spokane County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to the scene around 10:45 a.m. after receiving multiple 911 calls reporting loud voices and the sound of gunshots.
Upon their arrival, they discovered Purdie unresponsive. Despite the immediate life-saving efforts of the deputies and other first responders, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The Spokane County Medical Examiner later confirmed that Purdie had died from multiple gunshot wounds.
The investigation into Purdie's death, led by Major Crimes Detectives, was aided by crucial surveillance footage from the hotel and a nearby gas station. The video recordings captured the moments leading up to the fatal shooting, revealing a heated confrontation between Purdie and another man. According to court documents, Purdie was seen getting out of a vehicle and approaching the other man. He then pulled out a handgun, struck the man on the back of the head with it, and at one point, aimed the weapon at a bystander who was walking her dog. It was then that the other man drew his own firearm and shot Purdie. A woman present at the scene later told police she believed the dispute may have been over drugs and that the shooter had attempted to rob Purdie in the past. Investigators found a. 45-caliber pistol near Purdie's body, along with several cartridge casings.
Following the shooting, the man who had shot Purdie fled the scene in a sedan. While deputies detained everyone who remained at the hotel, no arrests were made in direct connection to Purdie's death. The shooter's actions have been considered under a claim of self-defense. The case was forwarded to the Spokane County Prosecutor's Office to determine if any charges would be filed against the shooter. The investigation has remained active and ongoing, with authorities continuing to piece together the events of that fatal morning. The incident has been noted as possibly being drug-related, and it was reported that both Purdie and the man who shot him were convicted felons.
Jackson James Purdie was remembered by his family as a man who loved the outdoors, finding happiness by the water and in the mountains. He was a father to two children, Shayden and Lyra. In his professional life, he had worked as a chef and in the construction industry in both Coeur d'Alene and Spokane. His creative side found an outlet in writing poetry, songs, and rap. His family shared one of his poems, titled "Rest," in his memory. A memorial fund was established for his children. The violent end to his life left a lasting impact on his family and the community.
